Improvement in packets or sample-envelopes



PATENT JAMES H. WEAVER, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

lMlROVEMENT 1N PACKETS OR SAMPLE-ENVELOPES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 218,650, dated August 19, 1879; application filed January 24, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. WEAVER, of

Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new, useful, and Improved Packet for Holding Third-Class Mail- Matter, and for other purposes, of which the following, in connection with the accompanyin g drawings, is a specification. Figure l is a perspective of a packet embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a vertical central section thereof; Fig. 3, a section in the plane of the line as 00; Fig. 4, a section in the plane of the line 3 y,- Fig. 5, a section in the plane of the line 2 2. Fig. 6 represents a modification in the construction of the mouth or upper part of the packet and Fig. 7 indicates the form of the metallic blank, and Fig. 8 a modification in the mode of folding together the edges.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts.

A represents a sheet of paper, which, in its blank or unfolded form, may have parallel sides and rectangular corners, and the dimensions of which correspond, of course, to the size of the packet of which it is to form a part. B is a sheet of thin, light, flexible, but quite stiff, sheet metal, having a form, before being folded, approximating that indicated by the full lines in Fig. 7. In other words, the sheet B, with the exception of the tongues a and to, extending from opposite edges thereof, and arranged near one end of the blank, is a parallelogram.

To make the packet, I place the sheet-metal blank on the paper blank so that the edges of the blanks will coincide or nearly coincide with each other. I then fold both blanks together along the line b, thus bringing the vertical edges of the partstogether or nearly together. By preference, in folding the parts thus, I do not carry one edge fully up to the other, but only, for example, to the line b, thus leaving a projecting tongue or end, 0. I then bend the part 0 over the edge of the part brought up to the'line b and fold boththese ends upon each other along the line 01. I then turn the tonguep a up over the lower end of the body. of the packet and fold the lower end upon itself along the line 0.

A pouch or sack is thus made consisting of paper and metal, the metal being either upon the inside of the sack or upon the outside, ac-

cording to the manner in which the first fold is made. Usually, it will be preferable to fold the parts together so that the paper will be upon the outside of the packet, thus admitting of the address being written upon the paper in a conspicuous place. Sometimes, however, it'may be desirable to inclose in such a packet matter which should not be in contact with metal, and to furnish a packet for that purpose I so fold the parts together that the paper will form an interior lining. The bottom of the sack, instead of being folded up as described, may be continuous, as shown in Fig. 8, both sides being folded. a

It will be perceived that by making a packet in this manner I not only have the option of arranging the metal either inside or outside thereof, but that the paper and metal are very firmly held together, and that the scams or joints are made tight Without the aid of mucilage.

To close the top or mouth of the packet, it may be then folded somewhat as the lower end or bottom was folded in order to close the packet there; but I deem it best to make much broader folds at the top, so that the packet may be then opened easily, for, as will be perceived, the packet, after being once closed at the mouth in this manner, may be then opened with facility by unfolding the parts then turned down. The mouth, however, owing to the stiffness of the metal, is closed firmly enough tobe prevented from being opened. accidentally. The mouth of the sack may be opened and closed a number of times without being materially injured, owing to the flexibility of the metal. An additional tongue, to, may be made at the top of the sheet B, if deemed preferable, as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 7 5 but no tongues are absolutely essential.

In practice, I deem it preferable to make the sheet A somewhat longer than the metallic part of the packet, especially at the top, as indicated in Fig. 2, and to fold these extended parts upon the metallic before folding the latter, as indicated in Fig. 3.

I am aware of paper packages lined with tin-foil and like thin metallic sheets having substantially no stiffness, and aiding in no way to preserve the original form of the-package, and in no way performing the function or office of the metallic parts of my packet. I do not,

seams or joints, the said metallic sheet having the property of stiffness 0r rigidity to a sufiicient degree to serve to hold together firmly the parts united at the seams and at the month, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

JAMES H. WEAVER. Witnesses:

MARTIN BEEM, DANIEL F. FLANNERY. 

